LIBRARY OF COXaRESS. 




PRESENTED KY 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



- <=^^A^ ^ <^^^^^^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



DOCTOR JONATHAN POTTS, 



REV. EDWARD D. NEILL. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



DOCTOR JONATHAN POTTS, 



DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE HOSPITALS OF THE NORTHERN AND MIDDLE 
DEPARTMENTS IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION, 



EXTRACTS FROM HIS CORRESPONDENCE. 



vp 



REV. EDWARD D/' NEILL. 



PROM THE NEW ENG. HIST. AND GEN. BEGISTER. 




ALBANY : 

J. MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. 

1863. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



In the month of December, 1678 (0, S.), the first European ship 

arrived at Burlington, New Jersey. The passengers were chiefly 

members of the societj' of Fi'iends, and among them was Thomas 

Potts, the ancestor of this sketch, with his wife and children. The 

'T ship, called the Shield, was from Hull, England. Thomas Potts 

f settled opposite Burlington, on the Delaware river, in Bristol town- 
^■^ ship, Peunsylvania, and thus the family became one of the first Eng- 
^>, lish families in the latter state. i 

John Potts, the father of the Doctor, was the founder of Potts- 
grove, and his large old mansion still stands. He was the owner of 
^- several furnaces and a large landed estate, and died respected and 
S^, beloved,- iu 1768, at the age of fifty-eight years. Four daughters 
^ and nine sons survived him.^ 

Jonathan was born in 1747 ; and on the 31st of August, 1766, in com- 
pany with his friend and relation, Benjamin Rush, subsequently dis- 
tinguished as one of the signers of the Declaration, and an able phy- 
sician, sailed from Philadelphia, on the way to the University of 
Edinburgh to study medicine. While in London, Dr. Franklin gave 
them letters of introduction to the professors aftd others, and also 
inclosed the following paternal advice: 

London, Dec. 20th, 1776. 
Gentlemen: With this I send you letters for several of my friends 
at Edinburgh. It will be a pleasure to me if they prove of use to you. 
But you will be your best friend if you apply diligently to your 
studies, refraining from all idle, useless amusements, that are apt to 
lessen or w'ithdraw the attention from your main business. 

This, from the character you bear in the letters you brought me, I 
am pursuaded you will do. Letters of recommendation may serve a 
stranger for a day or two; but when he is to reside for years, he 

^Thomas Potts died in Bristol in 1719, and a son, David, died in Bristol in 1730, 
and his children were Thomas, John, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Stephen, Mary, Rebecca, 
Natlian and Ezekiel. 

Thomas became a prosperous iron manufacturer at Colebrookdale, and died in 
1752. His children were Thomas, David, John, the father of Dr. Potts, and three 
daughters. _ 

'•^His obituary is in Pennsylvania Gazette, June, 1768. 

3 Tiie children of John Potts were : 

f Anna Morris. 

1. Martha m. Thomas Rutter. „ , , J Sarah Powell. 

2. Rebecca m. Benjamin Duffield, M. D. "' •'^^^^^^ ™--j Ann Mitchell. 

3. Anna m. David Potts. [ Sarah Kirkbride. 

4. Ruth m. Peter Lolira. 9. Jesse m. Sarah Lewis. 

5. Samuel m. Joanna Holland. 10. David rn. Mary Ayers. 

6. Isaac rn. Sarah Paul. 11. Jonathan m. Grace Richardson. 

7. James m. Anna Stocker. 12. John m, Margaret Camac. 

13. Thomas m. Anna Niitts. 



4 Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 

must depend on liis own conduct, which will increase or totally de- 
stroy the effect of such letters. 

I take the freedom, therefore, of counselinr^ you to be circumspect 
in your behavior at Edinburg'h (where people are very shrewd and 
observing), that you may bring from thence as good a character as 
you carry thither, and in that respect, not be inferior to any American 
that has been there before you. You have great advantages in going 
there to study at this time, when there liappens to be collected a set 
of as truly great men, professors of the several branches of know- 
ledge, as have ever appeared in any age or country. 

I recommend one thing particularly to you, that besides the study 
of medicine, you endeavor to attain a thorough knowledge of natural 
philosophy in general. You will from thence draw great aids in 
judging well both of diseases and remedies, and avoid many errors. 
I mention this because I have observed that a number of physicians 
here, as well as in America, are miserably deficient in it. 

I wish you all happiness and success in your undertaking, and 
remain 

Your friend and humble servant, 

B. Franklin. 

Before leaving his native country, with that lack of judgment that 
has often characterized an ardent student of nineteen, he had engaged 
his affections to the lady who became his wife. 

Scarcely had he arrived in Edinburgh, before he received a letter 
from his father, stating that his "dearest Grace" was very ill, and 
longed to see him. 

Immediately, on the receipt of this intelligence, he left Edinburgh 
and hastened back; but upon his arrival she had recovered, and from 
the family record we learn that he was married at Keading, Pa., to 
Miss Grace Richardson, on May 5th, 1761. 

After his marriage, he became a medical student in the College of 
Philadelpiiia, and, in tlie summer of 1768, graduated as bachelor of 
physic, at the first medical commencement in America. He delivered 
the valedictory; and the subject seems to have been suggested by 
Dr. Franklin, as it was on the advantages a medical student derives 
from a previous liberal education in the other sciences, particularly' 
matheiiuitics and natural philosophy. 

The medical class was ten in number, and became useful practi- 
tioners.^ 

In 1771, he received the degree of doctor of medicine; Benjamin 
DufiQeld, who married his sister Rebecca, at the same commencement 
receiving his degree as master of arts, and delivering a poem on 
" Science.''- 

1 The linst gradiiates of tlio Philadelphia medical school in 176S, were 

B. Cowell, Bucks eouiity, Pa. Jonatlian Potts, Philadelphia. 

— Archer, New C:i.>^tle " Jame.s Tilton, Kent. 

S. Dutlielfl, Philadelphia. Nich Way, New Castle. 

H. Fulierton, Lancaster. Jonathan KImer, West Jersey. 

David Jackson, Chester. John Lawrence, East Jersey. 

2 The ancestors of Dr. B. Duffiuld came to America shortly after Thomas Potts 
and family, and landed at Burlington, New Jersey. (See Smith's History of New 
Jersey.) After Peun laid out Philadelphia, Benjamin, the great grandfather of 



Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts, 5 

Dr. Potts commenced the practice of medicine at Reading, in 
Berks county. With the deepest interest he watched the discussions 
that were taking- place in parliament in relation to America. While 
his family, who had been brought up as Quakers, were much divided 
— his brother John being a tory judge in Philadelphia,! and Isaac a 
cold neutral, until he discovered Washington in prayer in his 
woods at Yalley Forge 2 — yet he, in company with his brothers, 
Samuel, 3 James, * Thomas, ^ and Joseph," identified themselves from 
the first with the friends of liberty. 

With Edward Biddle and others he was in 1115 a committee of 
safety for Berks county, and active in stirring up the zeal of his 
townsmen. 

The following letter, written on April 21th, 1115, addressed to him 
by one who omitted to sign his name, probably his brother James, or 
Owen Biddle, gives a most graphic description of Philadelphia after 
the news of the battle of Lexington : 

Dear Doctor: I am extremely concerned at our friend's indisposi- 
tion. Doctor take care of him and prevent exertions above his 
strength. We may want his services ere long. 

The papers sent herewith will give you most of the account rela- 
tive to the rout at Lexington, which we have received. A gentleman 
told me last night he liad seen a letter from New York which posi- 
tively mentioned the regulars to have lost SOO men, and that only 12 
officers of the first brigade had returned to Boston. To-morrow we 
expect an exact account from Boston. Most certainly [they] have 
bad a bitter pill. 

Batt writes to his wife, "The rej2:ulars and provincials have had a 
brush. The king's troops were hellishly peppered but returned the 
compliment." 

Dr. Duffield moved there, and at the age of 80, died in 1741. His tombstone is in 
Christ church-yard. 

Edward, tlie father of Dr. Duffield, was a warden in Christ church, a particular 
friend and executor of Franklin, and one of the first members of the American 
philosophical society. He died on the old family place in the Manor of Moreland, 
Philadelpliia county. His t(mibstone and many of his descendants, are in All 
Saint's church-yard, above Holmesburgh. 

Dr. Benjamin Duffield finished his medical education in Edinburgh. He is said 
to have been the first to give public lectures on obstetrics in America. In 1793, he 
was one of the physicians in charge of the Yellow fever hospital in Philadelphia, 
and died in 1799, leaving five children. His three daughters all married office 
students of .their father, Drs. Church, Martin and Henry Weill ; the two latter from 
Worcester county, Maryland. 

Dr. Henry Neill removed to Philadelphia and succeeded his father-in-law. 
He was vice-president of the College of Physicians, and died in 1845. One of 
his sons, John Neill, M. D., the grand nephew of Dr. Potts, at the breaking out 
of the rebellion, organized the military hospitals of Philadelphia, and is now a 
surgeon U. S. A., in charge of General hospital, Broad and Cherry streets. 

^ See Sabine's History of Loyalists. 

2 Weems's Lifa of Washington. 

^ Died 1793, was a member of the first state convention. 

* Was a lawyer in Philadelphia, and for a time major in a battalion, of which 
Cadvvalader was colonel. 

'" Thomas was colonel of a Pennsylvania regiment. 

* Joseph was a captain. 



6 Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 

I received last night by express a letter from Mr. Wm. Livingston, 
one of tlie Congress for New Jersey. He informs me that the peo- 
ple of Connecticut broke open the last mail from Boston and inter- 
cepted several letters from General Gage, by which the New Yorkers 
had discovered a hellish plot. He does not say what. We suppose 
here it must be a plan to seize the Congress. Hold yourselves and 
neighbors in readiness to assist us. 

Tlie New Yorkers have shut their port, seized the kej'S of the 
custom house, and arnied themselves. Connecticut has sent 10,000 
men to take post at King's Bridge, near New York, where it is said 
the troops intended to erect a fortress to cut oif all communication 
between the N. and S. colonies. I have sent for a letter from the 
York Committee. If I obtain it — shall be sent herewith. We have 
warmed our people almost to a military phrenzy. Yesterday we had a 
meeting of our associators. 9,000 were present. T. M.i harangued 
them with success. We divide into wards and choose our oflScers 
to-morrow. 3 troops of light horse, 2 compa.^ies of artillery, 2 com- 
panies of riflemen, 2 companies of light infantry, are forming. The 
artillery and light horse form to-morrow. The horses are training. 
I have sent two. We have here a stable for 30. 

The town is filled witljt companies exercising. I have attended 
during the last week six hours every day, and have gained some 
knowledge in that way. 

Our artillery and powder are guarded every night by detachments 
from the companies already formed. 

The Virginians have lost their powder at Williamsburgh. It was 
taken by order of the government, by a detachment of marines, from 
a ship of war in the night time. The people are so irritated they 
are marching to AVilliamsburgh from all the neighboring counties, 
and bv this time have secured the Governor as a hostage, whom 
they are determined lo keep in close custody until the powder is 
returned. 

Fleeson is so pressed by our people that I fear that you will get 
neither drum nor colors ibr some days. I called on him last Friday; 
nothing done except the drum hooped. I have now sent to him. 
The York letter you will have with a letter from our Committee. 
Hold yourselves ready to march at an hour's warning. I believe the 
Congress will meet in Reading. 

If you want two small iron carriage guns to exercise Johnny 
Miers with, send for them. They are three-pounders. The brass we 
shall keep. The device for ycmr drum and colors I have not had 
time to complete. To-morrow Fleeson shall have them." 

In the journals of Congress we find that in April, 1776, Dr. Potts 
petitioned to be director of hospitals for Canada, and on June 9th 
he was appointed as surgeon for Canada and Lake George. On the 
25th of the same month he was at head-quarters in New York city, 
and received the following note to General Sullivan from Washing- 
ton's secretary: 

Sir: The bearer of this, Dr. Jonathan Potts, has been appointed to 
the direction of tlie hospital in Canada. He is a gentleman of char- 

1 The meeting of associators was on April 26th. and Thomas Mifflin, subsequently 
general, and then governor of Pennsylvania, was one of the speakers. 



Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 7 

acter in every respect, and most indisputable zeal in the public 
cause. As such I beg leave to introduce him to your notice and 
acquaintance. 

Wishing you all honor and success, 

I am, sir, your most ob't and humble servant, 

Jos. Reed. 
New York, June 25, m6. 

The next day, in company with G-eneral Gates, he started for the 
north. On arriving at Crown Point he discovered that the oper- 
ations in Canada were impeded, and he became subject to the orders 
of Dr. Stringer, who placed him in charge of the hospital at Fort 
George, as the following letter indicates: 

Crown Point, July T, 1176. 
Dear Sir : As the whole of the sick will be removed from this 
post to Fort George as quick as possible, and are very numerous, 
beg you will, with all dispatch, have the sheds on the lake shore 
fitted up with cribs or berths for their reception ; and hurry those 
that are to be built where the old fort stood, as fast as possible. 

A convenient shop and a kitchen for the cook, contiguous to the 
principal departments), will be necessary. I expect to be over in two 
or three days. 

A quantity of hemlock tops, if procured, will be no bad bedding, 
and immediately wanted. They may be gathered along the lake 
shore and brought in battoes. 

I am. Sir, with respect, 

Your most obe'dt humble servant, 

Sam. Stringer^ 

AflTable, jovial, of fine executive power and superior education in 
his profession, Dr. Potts made friends wherever he went, and was 
popular not only with Gates, but the whole military and medical 
staif, as the subjoined correspondence indicates. 

Letter from II. Brochholst Livingston. 

German Flatts, July 28, 1776. 
Dear Sir : While at Fort George I committed to your care the 
keys of several closets and what plate there was in the house. I 
afterwards received the General's direction to lock whatever belonged 
to him in a closet and take the key with me. This injunction, thro' 
the hurry in which I came off, slipped my memory, and did not occur 
to me again until my arrival at Albany, from which place I wrote 
you,"acquainting you with the General's desire, and requesting you 
to secure every valuable 'article which belonged to the General, 
particularly the plate in one closet, and send me the key of it. * * * 
It is probable we shall not return to Fort George for a considerable 
while yet, before which time some articles may be pilfered, consider- 
ing how much the house is exposed to soldiers and travelers, in 
which case I shall be censured for my negligence. Your goods and 

^ Dr. Stringer was a native of Maryland. He was at the siege of Ticonderoga 
when Lord Howe fell in 1758. After the French war he settled in Albany. In 
consequence of disagreement with congress he left the continental service in 1777. 
Died in Albany in 1817, aged 83. 



8 Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 

furniture are, I hope, by this time arrived, so you will be the better 
able to spare what I have wrote for. The use of the other closets 
aud rooms you can have as before. 

Please to send the key to the care of Capt. Yarick, the General's 
Secretary at Albany, by some careful person. 

My patience is almost exhausted in waiting for the arrival of the 
Indians. We have been here a fortnight and they are not yet 
convened. From those who are already come, amounting to about 
600, we have reason to think the meeting will be full and the con- 
clusion favorable, as peace seems to be tiie wish of both Sachems and 
warriors. The conference, we expect, will open next Thursday. The 
General has received a letter from his Secretary acquainting him that 
a report prevails at Albany, that General Clinton, in attempling to 
land at Charlestown, was beat off with considerable loss, himself 
either slain or taken prisoner. God grant it may prove true. By 
express from Gen. Washington on the 26th inst., all was well at New 
York, and the troops impatient of action. The Jersies, my Father 
writes me, is in a good state of defence; 17,000 Pennsylvania Militia 
are come to their assistance, with which and their own, the shore 
from Elizabethtown to Amboy is well secured. Present my respects 
to the gentlemen who compose your families. I am. Sir, with senti- 
ments of esteem and friendship, Yours sincerely, 

Henry B. Livingston, ^ 

Letter from John Trumhull. 

TicoNDEROGA, August 8, 1776. 

Dear Sir : I have received yours of the 3rd, and should beg your 
pardon for not answering sooner, which I impute to negligence. I 
assure you nothing but the continued hurry of business has prevented 
me. The whole time that the two York gentlemen staid was entirely 
taken up in preparing returns and letters for them. I have asked 
the General his opinion of j'our proposal for discharges. He will 
trust you and Doct. Stringer ; he charges you to give certificates 
only to those whom you examine. Such as are really useless you will 
discharge as soon as you please, without application to any other 
officer ; sign your own name by the General's order. See how much 
confidence we put in you. 

We all thank you most sincerely for the present by Capt. Collins. 
The vinegar is very acceptable. Beans and Potatoes I I had almost 
forgot the names. Tliink how happy we were to see them. Majr. 
Pierce is quite unwell ; he was to have gone across the Lake to-day 
had the weather permitted. Majr. Stewart is well ; he writes you at 
this time. Greet kindly thy fellow laborers in the Hospitals. 
I am, Doctor, your very ob't servant and friend, 

J. Trumbull.'-^ 



1 Henry Brockholst Livingston son of Governor William Livingston of New Jer- 
sey. Died in Washington, iMarch IS, 1823, associate justice of the Supreme Court 
of the United States, See Holgate's American Genealogy, p. 19L 

2 John Trumbull was an aid of General Gates. He left the Army in 1777, and 
turned his attention to painting. The Trumbull gallery will always preserve his 
name. 



Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 9 

Letter to Doctor John Morgan, Director-General of the Medical Depart- 
ment of t lie United States.^ 

Fort George, August 10, 1176. 

Dear Sir: I expected long ere this to have had Dr. McHenry at the 
fort with the medicines [which] I mentioned to you were to come from 
Philadelphia, but I am greatly disappointed at his not arriving, and 
what has prevented him I know not. In a letter this day received 
from him he informs me that he was then to set out for Philadelphia 
in order to procure those medicines and some mates, and mentions 
your kind intention of assisting him both with advice and a supply 
of the cortex. The distressed situation of the sick here is not to be 
described. Without clothing, without bedding, or a shelter suffi- 
cient to screen them from the weather, I am sure your known 
humanity will be affected when I tell you . we have at present up- 
wards of one thousand sick and wounded in the sheds, and laboring 
under the various disorders of dysenteries, bilious, putrid fevers, 
and the effects of confluent small pox. To attend this large number, 
we have four seniors and four mates, exclusive of myself, and our 
little shop doth not afford a grain of jalap, ipecac, bark, salts, opium, 
and sundry other capital articles, and nothing of the kind to be had 
in this quarter. In this dilemma our inventions are exhausted for 
succedaneums, but we shall go on doing the best we can in the 
hopes of a speedy supply. 

Dr. Stringer left this some few days since in order to lay the 
situation of the hospital before his excellency, General Washington, 
and endeavor to procure redress. You may remember, sir, when I 
left New^York I mentioned to you, though the resolve of Congress 
did not expressly say I was to he Director General of this depart- 
ment, yet I apprehended it was the intention of that honorable 
body, agreeably to my petition previous to my appointment, that I 
should act as such in Canada, but on this side that province I was 
not to supersede Dr. Stringer, As I have had since the pleasure of 
Dr. Stringer's acquaintance, and have been made acquainted with 
the resolves of Congress in his favor, I find he has power to act as 
Director General of the Northern Department, which I knew not 
before; yet I shall continue to act as director under him until the 
matter is otherwise settled. I can assure j^ou Dr. Stringer's conduct 
here, and the regard I have conceived for him from my short ac- 
quaintance, influences me to wish he may be continued as at pre- 
sent, and more especially as I hope our arms will be blessed with 
success, and we shall once more regain Canada, when it will most 
undoubtedly be necessary to have two hospitals in this wide ex- 
tended country. I hope ere this reaches you the line by which the 
different departments are to act will be fixed. 

Dr. Stringer and myself had some conversation respecting the 
expediency of acting under a Director General of the whole conti- 
nent. This the doctor was averse [to], and I mentioned some reasons 
which had weight with me. As you will see the doctor I need not 
take up your time by mentioning them; for my own part I am re- 

^ Di-. Morgan was the associate of Dr. Sbippen in establishing at Philadelphia 
the first medical school in America, 



10 Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 

solved to be governed by such regulations as our wise Congress 
shall think proper, witching nothing more than to contribute my mite 
towards the relief of our once distressed country, but now tiie glo- 
rious, independeiit States of America. Pray present my respectful 
compliments to his excellency General Washington, and General 
Mifflin, and believe me to be, dear sir, 

Your affectionate and most humble servant, 

JoN. Potts. 

Letter from John Trumbull. 

My Dear Sir: Have your medicines arrived ? Have Stringer and 
McHenry made their appearance yet ? Our people fall sick by dozens, 
and not a pennyworth of medicine have we for them, even in the 
most virulent disorders. 

The moment you receive any supply share it for God's sake with 
us; we need it almost more than you. 

Let Doctor Stringer and McHenry know the moment they arrive, 
that 'tis the General's will that they come propriis personibus to this 
place immediately. 

You know 'tis no matter whether the people die for real want of 
medicine, or because they think they want it — 'tis death in either 
case. 

I am, my dear doctor, in a confounded hurry. 

Yours sincerely, 

J. Trumbull. 

Head Quarters, 31st August, 1116. 

Letter from Dr. Tillotson. 

TicoNDEROGA, September 13, 1176. 
Dr. Potty : I would beg leave to recommend to your consideration 
the disposition of yonr tourniquets. The General enquired very par- 
ticularly into the articles I had brought with me; when tiadingl had 
none, began to squint over his spectacles at me. You might spare all 
but one, which will be sufficient for that place. ***** I have 
the pleasure to inform you that j'our letters were much honored. 
Information respecting the fleet has arrived at headquarters; nothing 
remarkable since the embarkation. ***** ;^{y compli- 
ments to Col. Gansevoort and Dr. Wemple. 

Your humble servant, &c., 

Thos. Tillotson. 

Letters from Surgeon of ArnoliVs Fleet. 

Sloop Enterprize, 8th October, 1116. 
My Dear Sir: I had the pleasure of your first favor which came to 
hand the 1th inst., the receipt of which gave me great satisfaction 
to find myself classed amongst your friends. Be assured, my most 
strenuous endeavors shall not be wanting to render myself worthy of 
your attention. * * * * i doubt not before this reaches you, 
you'll be acquainted with the General's intention of proceeding down 
the Lakes with the fleet to Isle a Motte, there to land 150 men; 50 of 
whom are to be Indians, who are to eat, slay and kill all they can 
lay hands on. I pray most honestly that the Creator of all things. 



Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 11 

both wild and tame, would induce the enemy to come to action, as I 
am well assured we shall be able to extirpate them from the face of 
the waters. * * * * The want of a subject obliges me to 
immediately subscribe myself 

Your most obedient friend and servant, 

Stephen McCrea. 
TicoNDEROGA, October 14th, 1116. 

Dear Sir: I am so hurried with getting off the wounded of our 
ruined navy, that it is impossible to give any account of our action, 
which was as bloodj' as unfortunate. We have done them all the 
surgery we could. I have just time to inform you I am alive, with- 
out receiving any wound. Please to acquaint my brother and friends 
as soon as possible. I shall write the first leisure. 

Adieu, I am. Sir, yours, most sincerely, 

S. McCrea. 

After Gates joined Washington in Pennsylvania, Dr. Potts was, for 
a time, on duty in Philadelphia, as the following from the general 
orders of General Putnam, dated Dec. 12, 1116, shows : "Officers 
who have the charge of any sick soldiers in or near this city, and 
who are included in the foregoing order, are directed to make returns 
to Dr. Jonathan Potts, at Mr. John Biddle's, in Market street, of the 
numbers and places of residence of their sick, that proper care may 
be taken of them." 

A portion of the winter of '16-11, was passed with his family in 
Keading; but in January he was again commissioned with the title 
of Director of the General Hospital for the Northern Depautment. 
He diligently entered upon his duties, and prepared for the summer 
campaign;' and before he left for the north, addressed the following 

Letter to the Medical Committee of Congress. 

Reading, March 9th, 1111, 
Gentlemen t — Upon the first notice of my appointment to the Direc- 
torship of the Military Hospital in the Northern District, I applied 
myself diligently to procure such articles as were to be had and I 
thought necessary for the use of the General Hospital. * * * * 
I should have been happy to have had your instructions before I left 
Philadelphia, and I entreat you to forward to me whenever your 
other more important business will give leisure. ***** 
I am clearly of opinion it will conduce much to the good of the 
service to have a Sub-Director appointed. Should your Honorable 
House approve of this measure, give me leave to recommend Doctor 
Warren,! whose good sense, long services, and zeal in the cause, 
entitle him to the notice of his country. 1 have the highest sense' 
of the honor conferred on me by the very honorable Congress, and 
shall exert every nerve to merit their notice. 

I have the honor to be. Gentlemen, 

Your most ob't humble servant, 

Jon. Potts. 



^ Dr. John Warren was the brother and student of Dr. Joseph Warren who fell 
at, Bunker Hill. IIh was also the founder of the Medical Department of Harvard 
University. Father oi the late Dr. Joini C. Warren. 



12 Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 

On the 3d of April he arrived at Albany, and as Director General 
of the Northern Department, had the following subordinates : 

A Return of the Officers of the General Hospital, Northern Department. 

General Officers. — Dr. Thos. Tillotson, Asst. Dep. Director ; Dr. Mai. 
Treat, Physician General ; Dr. Jas. Brown. Surgeon General ; Dr. 
Bartlett, Phys. and Surg. Gen. of Army ; Ad. Craigie, Apothecary 
General. 

Senior Surgeons. — Dr. Robt. Johnston, Dr. Steph. McCrea, Dr. Dav. 
Townsend, Dr. Sam. McKenzie, Dr. Fran. Hagan, Dr. Jas. Young. 

Second Surgeo7is. — Dr. Alex. Steward, Dr. Bedf. Williams, Dr. T. 
Vickers, Dr. Nich. SciiU, Dr. Matt. Mans, Dr. Nich. Schuyler. 

Surgeons' Mates. — Mr. Dav. Stoddard, Mr. James Thatcher, Mr. Sara. 
Woodruff, Mr. Wm. P. Smith, Mr. James Prescott, Mr. Willis Brown. 

Commissary. — Mr, Dow, Mr. Henry Marselis, Asst. Com. ; Juo, 
Witman, Clerk ; Jno. Steward, Asst. Clerk. 

Steward. — John Brown. 

Letter from Dr. John Warren. 

Boston, May 16, 1111. 

Dear Friend : You have doubtless seen the new 

arrangements of Congress in the Medical Department, and have 
undoubtedly seen the list of gentlemen appointed General Officers in 
it, and I suppose you concluded that those appointments would 
effectually prevent my having the happiness of being connected with 
you in your Department. 

Gentlemen, some of whom have never before been engaged in the 
Service, are put into places of profit and honor, whilst those who have 
surmounted ten thousand difficulties and exposed themselves to 
innumerable dangers in establishing Hospitals from a state of chaos 
to regularity and convenience, arc overlooked. 

I am not obliged to sacrifice my honor, even if it were to save a 
kingdom from destruction. I never will remain in any post a single 
moment longer than I can do it with honor and reputation. These 
considerations 1 know will be a sufficient apology to a person of your . 
sentiments and feeling for my not attending you at your station. I 
am disappointed as I expected much pleasure in your acquaintance ; 
however. Sir, I beg you will be kind enough to write by every 
favorable opportunity, and believe me ready to serve you in every 
thing so far as lays in my power. 

I am, Sir, your afl'ectionate friend and humble servant, 

J, Warren, 

Letter from Colonel Walter Stewart. 

Philadelphia, June 20th, 1111. 
My Dear Friend : I should be happy if I had now time to write 
you a long letter, but my horses wait at the door and I must push 
after my regiment, which marched five hundred and twenty strong 
this morning at five o'clock. Wilkinson will show you the letter 
where I mention my proceedings since I left you. 

Your letter to Mrs. Potts, the worthy little Mifflin, i sent the day 

1 " Little Mifflin " was the soubriquet of General Thomas Mifflin. 



Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 13 

we arrived in town, and I took every opportunity in my power of hand- 
\n^ about, through the members of Congress, your list of the sick, 
which gave universal satisfaction. I afterwards sent it, by particular 
desire, to Dr. Sliippen. I shall write you fully from camp ; in the 
mean time, allow me to refer you to my good friend Wilkinson's let- 
ter for particulars, and believe me to be 

Your sincere friend, 

Walter Stewart,^ 

Letter from Dr. Bartlett. 

Dear Sir: Your favor of the 25th inst. I have; shall comply with 
the requisition contained, tho' I shall be left with but two regimental 
surgeons in the whole army. I have this moment returned from Fort 
Edward, where a party of hell hounds, in conjunction with their 
brethren, the British troop, fell upon our advanced guard, inhumanly 
butchered, scalped and stripped four of them, wounded two more, each 
in the thigh, and four more are missing. 

Poor Miss Jenny McOray and the woman with whom she lived, 
were taken by the savages, led up the hill to where there was a body 
of British troops, and there the poor girl was shot to death in cold 
blood, scalped and left on the ground; and the other woman not yet 
found. 

The alarm came to camp at two P. M. I was at dinner. I im- 
mediately sent off to collect all the regular surgeons, in order to take 
some one, or two of them along with me to assist, but the devil a 
bit of one was there to be found, except three mates, one of whom 
had the squirts; the other two I took with me. There is neither 
amputating instrument, crooked needle or tourniquet in all the camp. 
I have a handful of lint and two or three bandages, and that is all. 
What in the name of wonder I am to do in case of an attack God only 
knows;, without assistance, without instruments, without everything. 

What can become of Stewart, with the stores, medicine chest, my 
baggage, etc. ? 

If it is consistent with the public good, and agreeable to your 
opinion, pray assist me with one or two of your surgeons. My 
respectful compliments to yourself and all the fraternity. 
I am. Sir, your very humble servant, 

Jno. Bartlett.i 
Moses Creek, H'd Q'rs, 1 

July 26, 10 o'clock, P. M. j 

Letter from Dr. Johnston, after the death of General Jlerldmer. 

General Harcomer's, xiugust 1*1, 1777. 
Dear Doctor: Yesterday morning I amptuated General Harcomer's^ 
leg, there not being left the prospect of recovery without it. But, 

^ Stewart had been an Aid of General Gates, but became Colonel of the 13th 
Pennsylvania Regiment. 

2 Dr. Bartlett was surgeon general of the northern army. He died in Charlestown, 
Mass , in 1820. 

3 Herkimer was in command of Tryon county militia, and was on his way to re- 
lieve Gansevoort at Fort Schuyler, when he was attacked. After he was wounded, 
he sat on a stump and encouraged his men to fight. 



14 Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 

alas, the patriotick hero died in the evening — the cause of his death 
God only knows. 

About tliree hours before his departure he complained of pain. I 
gave him 30 drops of laudanum liquid, and went to dress Mr. Pettery.i 
I left him in as g'ood a way as I could wish, with Dr. Hastings to take 
care of him. When I returned I found him taking his last gasp, free 
from spasm, and sensible. Nothing ever more surprised me; but we 
cannot always parry death, so there is an end to it. 

General Arnold left this yesterda}', with positive orders to follow 
him this evening or to-morrow morning. I sent for Scull to take 
care of the General and Pettery. He is just now arrived. I purpose 
to have Pettery removed to Palentor [Palatine], where Scull and two 
regimental mates will take care of him and the other wounded. This 
evening I will pursue General Arnold, and I apprehend will overtake 
him at Fort Dayton. 

I just now received a letter of good tidings from Doctor Treat. My 
best compliments to him with thanks. I hope, in a few days to have 
an opportunity of congratulating him and the other patriotic gentle- 
men in a letter, with good news from the Western Army. 

The place and hour of glory draws nigh. No news from Fort 
Schuyler. I am, dear Doctor, 

Your most obedient and humble servant, 

Robert Johnston.2 

Letter from Dr. William Shippen, Director General of United States 

Hospitals. 

Philadelphia, 25th August, lilt. 

My Dear Doctor: Your medicines, &c., have been ordered several 
weeks from Reading, and must be gone before now. I have now 
directed a cask of excellent wine and some spirits for your hospital, 
as 1 know a little is very necessary. The countenance of your 
affairs is very fair and pleasing, and all must be well if Mr. Bur- 
goyne can be prevailed upon to come down far enough into the 
country. I am afraid he will retire to that important post Fortress 
Ticonderoga, and I am sure lie will not run away from, as we have 
done; perhaps we had good reasons. Stark's affair is great, verj' 
great — pray let the honest fellows who were wounded be tenderly 
dressed. I expect your returns next week. Dr. Brown has my good 
wishes. * * * * General Washington marched at the head of 
near 10,000 regular troops through the city yesterday morning. 
To-day 2,500 more follow him towards Elk river, where Howe's fleet 
lies. 3,000 militia are at Chester, and in eight days the General 
will be able to attack the British army with 20,000 foot and 350 
horse, well mounted. Howe will not dare to meet them. We all 
look up, and tories down. Messrs. Penn, Chew, Tilghman, E. and J., 

1 Joseph Pettery was a nephew of the general's, a brave soldier, who, alter he 
was wounded and his leg fractured by two bullets, killed an Indian with his own 
tomahawk. 

2 Johnston was senior surgeon from Marvland. 



Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 15 

Shippei), J. Lawrence, J. Hamilton, gave their parole. Adieu, pros- 
per and believe me. Dr. Potts, 

Your affectionate and humble servant, 

W". Shippen.i 

Letter from Dr. Hagan. 

Bennington, Sept. 21, lltT. 

Dear General: Every opportunity of writing- affords me pleasure, 
and believe me the present situation of affairs renders me very anxious 
to hear from you. 

I would willingly mention several things to you, but I know your 
mind at present is so taken up with matters of importance that you 
cannot attend to small affairs. It may not be amiss to mention the 
disagreeable situation of the wounded prisoners, which the ap- 
proaching season seems to threaten every day, and I'm confident that 
it will be impossible to procure any other house for them than what 
they at present occupy. 

I have discovered from the German officer, who is a cornet of 
horse, and left here to see the patients well treated, that the great- 
est discord prevails between them and the British, and he is much 
disobliged that General Burgojme did not write to him, and declared 
to me in confidence if the Germans knew they were so much despised 
(as he finds they are) by the British, it would be attended with the 
most dreadful consequences. One night, while Bacchus made us 
both laugh, he told me Burgoyne had more Germans in his array 
than British, and if ever he lived to return, the behavior of the Brit- 
ish officers should be no secret, to General Riedesell, You must 
know the whole blame of the late expedition is attributed to the 
Germans. ' The British officer, who is my patient, has hinted to me 
that he believes General Howe and his master would be very glad 
if General Lee was not in their possession, and I find it is the pre- 
vailing opinion among them that very soon he will get leave to slip 
awaj'. Yesterday I heard that we had taken 250 of the enemy, and 
when I told it to the, German officer, and that "they were British, he 
expressed the greatest satisfaction, and wished with all his soul 
their whole army might meet with a defeat, such is their jealousy. 
Believe me to be sincerely 

Your humble servant, 

Francis Hagan.^ 

Letter from British Surgeon Hayes after the battle at Saratoga. 

Sir: Nothing but the hurry of business and my visit to Sir Fran- 
cis Clarke^ co'd have prevented your having the enclosed returns, 
which I fancy are very correct, before this time. 

Kn order from the General for me to remain at this place seems to 

^ Dr. Sliippeii was tlie son of Dr. William Slnppen ; graduated at Princeton, 
17.54; studied medicine in Edinburgh, and was the founder of the first medical 
school in America at Philadelphia. Dr. Potts had been one of his pupils. Died in 
1808. 

^ Hagan was one of the senior surgeons of the northern department. 

^ Sir Francis Clarke was the senior aid of General Burgoyne, and died as Dr. 
Hayes, the British surgeon predicted. 



16 Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 

be almost unnecessary, as it cannot be supposed I should desert the 
sick and wounded left under my care, to see a Country I know noth- 
ing of. M3' whole time shall be devoted to their services if per- 
mitted; and 1 dare say my conduct will never deserve any censure 
from those whose orders I may happen to receive. I hope this 
order will not preclude me from seeing my friend Sir Francis Clarke 
to his last, which I fear will soon arrive. 

I am, dear sir, Your most obedient and humble servant, 

John McNamara Hayes. 
October 15, 1111. 

Letter from Dr. James Browne. 

Albany, December 24, 1111. 
My Dear Director : In the mess the utmost harmony prevails. 
* * * Gen. Lincoln^ is in a fair way of recovery. * * * Jn 
his character is united the resolution of the soldier; the politeness of 
the gentleman, the patient philosopher, and pious Christian. 

Not so the gallant Arnold. His peevishness would degrade the 
most capricious of the fair sex ; nor is his wound, tho' less dangerous 
in the beginning than Lincoln's, in so fair a way of liea'ing. 

He abuses us for a set of ignorant pretenders and empirics. * * 
I am, with all possible affection, your friend, 

J. Browne.2 

After the surrender of Biirgoyne, a large portion of Gates' aimy 
reinforced Washington. The General, in concluding his letter to 
John Hancock, the President of Congress, announcing his victory, 
adds : "I cannot close my letter without requesting your Excellency 
to inform Congress of the good care and attention with which Dr. 
Pott's and the gentlemen of the General Hospital have conducted the 
business of their Department. I must beg that some honorary mark 
of the favor of Congress may be shown to Dr. Pott's and his sub- 
ordinate associates." 

On the I6th of November, 1111, having obtained a furlough, he left 
Albany to visit his wife and friends in Pennsylvania. While with 
his family in Reading, he was appointed by Congress, Director 
General of the Hospitals of the Middle Department, and also Purveyor' 
General. 

As long as the army was at Valley Forge it was compatible with 
his duties to live with his family at Reading, and his correspondents 
addressed him there, as the superscription of their letters show. 

Letter from Dr. James Crailc. 

Dear Sir : The waggons arrived yesterday ; and the waggoner has 
returned back to Reading. I observe my friend Bond has not sent 
mc any bedding, so that I am afraid I shall be at a loss when we 
come to march. * * * As the General has desired all the 
Orderlys to join their regiments by the first of June, and v/e have 

1 Lincoln was shot in the tliigh by a sharpshooter, and Arnold in the leg while 
leading a charge. 

2 Dr. Browne was the surgeon general in the northern department, and from 
Maryland. 



Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. H 

already had some suffering with some of the Colonels about them, I 
wish some method could be fallen on to employ women that can be 
depended on. The Gen'l says we may at least enlist them for the 
same money that soldiers are, for he can no longer bear having an 
army on paper, and not have them to act on the field. We still have 
fresh accounts of the Enemy preparing to move some where, and I 
believe they are going off. They are putting their horses on board, 
their cannon, and heavy baggage, and they seem to be in great con- 
fusion in the city. * * * I am day by day expecting the pleasure 
of seeing you here. Your most ob't and humble serv't, 

Head Quarters, May 24, 1T18. Jas. Ceaik.i 

Letter to Dr. Wm. Shippen, Director General of Military Hospitals in the 
United States of America. 

Albany, April 29th, lilt. 

Dear Sir: Your favour of the 18th inst., which had inclosed the 
resolutions of Congress, respecting the arrangement of the Hospitals 
in the different Departments of the United States, came to my hand 
on Wednesday last. ***** The General Hospital is to 
be established at Mt. Independence, for the reception of the sick of 
the Army at that Post, and one other at Fort George, for the recep- 
tion of such as may happen to be taken with the sm.all-pox or other 
putrid or infectious diseases; also a Hospital in this city for such as 
fall sick on their march to or from the advanced post, Ticonderoga. 
One preventative is worth two cures, and upon this principle I exert 
every nerve to preserve cleanliness, giving particular attention to 
the diet and method of dress, the provisions delivered to the troops, 
and above all, have the gardens well taken care of. * * * * 
The Gentlemen appointed by Congress as Physician, Surgeon, and 
Surgeon General of the Northern Army, are by General Gates' ex- 
press order, required to, attend to their duty without delay. No 
excuse will be taken. I long to take Dr. Treat by the hand, the 
other gentlemen I know not, but am sure must be men of ability 
from the appointment given them. You request me, dear Doctor, to 
let you know my wants, and rest assured I shall do it. Tj'e' is most 
undoubtedly an unhealthy situation, owing to the stagnant water 
and fogs, and to avoid the effects of which we should moisten our 
clay now and then with some cordials or salubrious medicine. Should 
opportunity offer, I. hope you will not forget me. One other request, 
I beg you not to. omit — ^pray send me the papers. As to news, we 
have nothing from Canada that can be relied on. Sonje boats which 
came up Lake Champlain to procure forage at Gillillan creek, have 
returned. 

Ti:ie Copperheads- are quiet at present, but I fear they will be 
troublesome, having moved with their families from these parts. 
I am with respect, 

Your most ob't and humble servant, 

John Potts. 

^ The name of Dr. Craik -will always be associated with the death bed of Wash- 
ington. He was a Scotchman, who came to America with Braddock's army. 

2 Is there any earlier use of the term Copperheads ? 



18 Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts. 

Letter from Dr. John Cochran. 

MoRRiSTOWiV, March 18, 1780. 

Dear Sir : I received your favor by Dr. Bond, and am extremely 
sorry for the present situation of the Hospital finances. Our stores 
have all been expended for two weeks past, and not less than 600 
regimental sick and lame, most of whom require some assistance, 
which being" withlield, are languishing and must sufl'cr. 

I flatter myself you have no blame in this matter, but curse on 
him or them by whom this evil is produced. The vengeance of an 
offended Deily mustovertake the miscreants sooner or later. It grieves 
my soul to see the poor, worthy, brave fellows pine away for want 
of a few comforts, whicli tliey have dearly earned. 

I shall wait on his Excellency ihe Commander-in-Chief, and re- 
present our situation, but I am persuaded it can have little efilect, for 
what can he do? He may refer the matter to Congress, they to the 
Medical Committee, who will probably powwow over it awhile, and 
no more be heard of it. Tiie few stores sent on by Dr. Bond in your 
absence are not yet arrived. I suppose owing t(j the badness of the 
roads. If they come they will give us some relief for a few weeks. 

Compliments to all friends, and believe me. Dear Sir, 

Yours very sincerely, 

John Cochran. ^ 

It was not the will of Providence that Dr. Potts should live to see 
the independence of his country achieved, for which he so ardently 
longed. In the year HSl, at the early age of thirty-four, he died. 
His executors were his brother Samuel and his early friend General 
Mifflin. 

The children of Jonathan and Grace Potts were: 

1. Grace, married to a cousin, Wm. Potts. She died in 1809. 

2. Benj. Rush Potts, born in 1768. Left home and fate unknown. 
Supposed to have married and lived twenty miles from Wheeling, 
Va., in Ohio. 

3. Clement Potts, died in infancy. 

4. Deborah Claypoole Potts, born 1770; died 1798; wife of Thomas 
Shallcross. 

5. Dr. Francis Potts, born 1772 ; died about 1812. 

6. Horatio Gates Potts, died in infancy, 

7. Edward Potts, b. in 1780; died young. 

1 Dr. Cochrane was a native of Chester Co., Pa. Married a sister of General 
Schuyler, and died at Pahitine, N. Y., in 1807, aged 77. 



